LAD#16 - Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

The Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect on January 1st, 1863. Stating that all slaves within any state or designated part of a State were freed. That the government, including military and naval authority would recognize and maintain this new found freedom, and would not repress them in any efforts they make for their actual freedom. It was also declared that for a period of one hundred days, the states, which were in rebellion against the United States, would be left precisely as if the proclamation was not issued. Lincoln urged the newly freed slaves to abstain from all violence unless in self-defense, and labor faithfully for reasonable wages. Also, he declared that such persons would be accepted into the military service to "garrison forts, positions, stations, and other place, and to man vessels of all sort sin said service". Lincoln tells the people that he issued this Proclamation since he sincerely believed it to be an act of justice, backed by the Constitution and the favor of God.